How Did The Influenza Affect American Life In 1918

In the fall of 1918, the war in Europe was beginning to wind down and peace was seen on the horizon. The Americans would join the fight and this would bring the allies much closer to their victory against the Germans. Within trenches, these men would live in some of the most brutal conditions that life had to offer and it seemed like it could not get any worse. Across different parts of the world, something that seemed similar to the common cold would erupt. The influenza that occurred that season would come to be far worse than a mere cold. Of the United States soldiers who lost their lives in Europe, half of them would die due to the influenza virus. The virus would also proceed to kill 43,000 servicemen who were mobilized for WW1.